The Celtic Underground

In January 1921, Celtic players gathered to celebrate the career of a remarkable club figure.

By the time he retired, Alec McNair had spent an amazing 21 years in the Hoops, making him Celtic’s longest serving player.

This latest podcast tells his life story.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Sunday was a match long on incident but short on quality. Celtic took the lead twice and twice allowed Hearts back into the game, in what was widely agreed to be a poor contest of football. The main talking point came at 2–1 Celtic, when Trusty was shown a yellow card that was later overturned to a red following VAR intervention by John Beaton. The bhoys argue why it should have remained a booking, and that the sending-off fundamentally altered a game that Celtic were still trying (and struggling) to control.

Beyond the referee controversy, the discussion turns to deeper structural issues. Celtic’s tactical approach is criticised as blunt and ineffective, with individual performances (including Callum McGregor’s unusually low pass-completion) raising concerns about form and fatigue. The conversation widens to the transfer window, the recurring absence of a Director of Football, and the growing sense that Celtic are once again asking the same squad to solve the same problems. With Europe looming large and domestic margins tightening, the message is clear - We need to chase it, we need to strengthen the squad, and we need to get through in Europe.

Whether the club has a coherent plan to do all three remains the big unanswered question. One week to find out.

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

The Tragic Tale of Celtic’s First Tommy Burns

This Burns Night, Celtic fans’ thoughts will be of Tommy, rather than Rabbie. However, the Celtic player and manager was not the first Bhoy with this name.

The life of Celtic’s first Tommy Burns is a tale of tragedy and the dangers involved in football’s early days.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Player.fm

Spreaker

Audioboom

Youtube

Thanks for reading The Celtic Underground Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Andrew H in Conversation, Andrew sits down for an open, thoughtful chat about Celtic, its roots, and what the club has always meant to so many of its supporters. From the very beginning, Celtic was born out of solidarity, community and standing alongside those who needed help most. That spirit still matters to fans today, and it’s impossible to talk about modern Celtic culture without touching on the long-standing connection many supporters feel with the Palestinian cause, whether that’s through banners, flags, or vocal support from the stands.

To chat this through, Andrew is joined by Jill Thomson from Scottish Sport for Palestine.

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Over the years, the Celts have faced numerous teams who have later gone out of business.

Some of these sides have notable places in Celtic history. This latest podcast tells these stories.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Player.fm

Spreaker

Audioboom

Youtube

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This summer, Scotland will head to the Americas in their first World Cup since 1998.

The national team could be playing in the USA, Canada or Mexico – all countries in which Celtic have played at least once.

This podcast tells the interesting and sometimes controversial story of Celtic in the Americas.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Player.fm

Spreaker

Audioboom

Youtube

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode we get straight into the fall-out from pulling the plug on Wilfred Nancy after just 33 (thirty three) days. It’s one of those situations where you can feel sorry for the guy on a human level, but still accept it simply wasn’t working. The performances were grim, the fit was clearly wrong, and the decision (harsh as it looks) was inevitable. We talk about how this sort of thing isn’t actually new in football, but how social media has poured petrol on the fire, ramping up pressure, shortening patience, and making every bad result feel like a crisis. And inevitably, that brings us back to the board: not so much the sacking itself, but why we ended up here in the first place.

From there, the chat moves on to what comes next and why Martin O’Neil’s return is about steadying the ship and getting back to basics. There’s a belief that confidence, so clearly missing, can come back quickly with clarity and authority, but only if recruitment finally starts making sense alongside the manager rather than cutting across him. With winnable games coming up, there’s a chance to reset the mood and get a bit of momentum going again. But the wider point is clear: Celtic need a plan, not just another reaction. Accountability, joined-up thinking, and a proper football vision are long overdue because misery might love company, but it’s not something the club can afford to keep around.

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

2 January 2026 will mark the 55th anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster.

This 1971 tragedy claimed the lives of 66 football fans, a catastrophe that affected families and communities across Scotland.

This podcast tells the story of Celtic and the Ibrox Disaster.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Player.fm

Spreaker

Audioboom

Youtube

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Tomorrow, Celtic fans around the world will celebrate Christmas. In the past, they could also have gone to watch the Bhoys in action.

This podcast tells the story of Celtic’s last Christmas Day game.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…(and Merry Christmas)

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Amazon

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This podcast starts with Harry asking Andrew & Matthew about the Aberdeen game and discussions around the game last for about 10 minutes before, in our usual way, they meander into a completely different topic where we discuss the squad Nancy inherited, the fan anger and whether it’s justified and the inherent causes.

Someone once described our podcast as a Celtic fan equivalent of TMS. I think in this episode you can see why.

Oh and then the bhoys are asked - if you could have one Celtic present from Santa, what would it be.

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas to you and yours from all here at Celtic Underground.

Enjoy…

Apple podcasts

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Amazon

Player.fm

Spreaker

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Youtube

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe